Introduction
Gender roles and relations are shaped by various socio-economic factors like income, education, employment, health, and access to resources. These factors influence the opportunities and challenges faced by women, men, and other gender identities. Through gender analysis, we can examine how these factors affect different genders and lead to inequality or discrimination.
What Are Socio-Economic Factors Defining Gender?
Socio-economic factors include the conditions and circumstances that influence how people live and interact. These can define and reinforce gender roles, responsibilities, and power structures. They determine access to education, health, income, decision-making, and more.
How to Identify Socio-Economic Factors Through Gender Analysis
- Collect gender-disaggregated data for each sector (e.g., income levels, school attendance, health status).
- Study the division of labour to understand gender-specific tasks and responsibilities.
- Use participatory tools like focus group discussions and social mapping to identify differences.
- Compare access and control over resources between genders.
Three Key Socio-Economic Factors and Their Gender Impact
1. Education
- Girls in many regions have lower access to schools due to poverty, early marriage, or cultural beliefs.
- Lack of female teachers, inadequate sanitation (especially for menstruating girls), and long travel distances can discourage female education.
- Gender analysis shows gaps in enrollment, dropout rates, and literacy between boys and girls.
- Example: NFHS-5 data shows that rural women have significantly lower literacy than urban men.
2. Employment and Income
- Women are often employed in informal or unpaid sectors like agriculture and domestic work.
- Gender analysis reveals a gender wage gap and unequal access to productive assets like land and credit.
- Traditional gender roles may prevent women from working outside the home.
- Example: Women’s labor force participation in India is around 25%, compared to over 50% for men.
3. Health
- Women face gender-specific health issues, especially related to reproductive health, maternal care, and nutrition.
- Social norms often restrict women’s access to healthcare, especially in rural or conservative areas.
- Gender analysis highlights higher rates of anemia, maternal mortality, and limited control over health decisions among women.
- Example: NFHS-5 indicates high rates of anemia in women, particularly among adolescent girls and pregnant women.
Conclusion
Socio-economic factors like education, income, and health are central to understanding gender inequalities. Gender analysis helps in identifying how these factors affect different genders and provides insights for planning inclusive and gender-sensitive development programs. Addressing these disparities can lead to a more just and equal society.